United States · Bill · S
S. 819 (101st)
Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1989
Introduced
18 April 1989
Last action
—
Status
See S.2393.
Sponsors
—
Subjects
Discovery layer
Source updated
3 June 2026
Summary
Motor Carrier Safety Act of 1989 - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue a final rule regarding Federal motor carrier safety regulations to: (1) establish a public information system that periodically updates the safety ratings of motor carriers which have received unsatisfactory safety ratings; (2) provide a rating reassessment within 12 months after receipt of a motor carrier's written request to have an unsatisfactory rating reassessed; and (3) prohibit the operation of certain commercial motor vehicles by motor carriers who have received unsatisfactory safety ratings. Requires the Secretary to submit operational guidelines to the Congress with specific criteria for determining civil penalties for motor carrier safety violations that pose imminent safety hazards. Requires annual reports to the Congress on enforcement actions. Amends the Controlled Substances Act to impose mandatory minimum criminal penalties for the unlawful distribution or possession of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a truck stop. Precludes the suspension of criminal sentences and denies probation for repeat offenders. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to establish specified sentencing guidelines for violations of this Act. Amends the Truck and Bus Safety and Regulatory Reform Act of 1988 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to initiate a rulemaking proceeding regarding improved braking performance standards for commercial motor vehicles. Classifies Department of Transportation safety inspectors at GS-12 of the General Schedule. Sets a deadline within which the Secretary must establish procedures ensuring the timely correction of commercial motor carrier safety violations found in a nationwide random reinspection system. Directs the Secretary to establish operational procedures requiring highway safety personnel to initiate enforcement actions whenever certain motor carrier safety violations can be documented. Directs the Secretary to initiate a rulemaking proceeding for enhanced truck visibility.
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Timeline
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Votes
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Versions
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Documents
7 official files
Reported to Senate (text)
Reported to Senate · EN
Referred in House (text)
Referred in House · EN
Introduced in Senate (text)
Introduced in Senate · EN
Engrossed in Senate (text)
Engrossed in Senate · EN
Passed Senate amended
summary · EN · 3 August 1989
Reported to Senate with amendment(s)
summary · EN · 27 July 1989
Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 18 April 1989
Sponsors
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Related records
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Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/101st-congress/senate-bill/819
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/101/s/819